Posted on 03/03/2018 8:09:56 PM PST by BenLurkin
In recent decades the scientific consensus has been that the moon formed billions of years ago from debris cast off when a Mars-sized object dealt Earth a glancing blow. But a radical new theory holds that some long-ago giant collision actually disintegrated Earth, causing it to balloon out into a vast doughnut-shaped cloud of vaporized rock, which the scientists who developed the theory dubbed a synestia." They say the moon subsequently formed within this cosmic maelstrom.
In the long-accepted explanation of lunar formation, the collision between Earth and the Mars-sized object, known as Theia, ejected part of Earth's mantle essentially molten rock and metal and left debris orbiting our planet. Over time, the bits of debris collided and clumped together to form the moon.
But when the researchers used powerful computers to simulate this process, they ran into the same problem that has long vexed scientists examining the Theia theory: It was hard to see how the collision and the ensuing clumping of debris could explain the moons unique chemistry, said study co-author Dr. Sarah Stewart, a professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California, Davis.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
Source of all those facts
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Compiled by Ronald Regehr (astronautical/aeronautical engineer)
Take it up with the guy that compiled it - there are many sources - go look.
Thanks fieldmarshaldj, the first interesting article on lunar formation in a while.
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Your dog is so pretty.
Wow. That was sarcastic for no reason. Thanks for the help.
AYTTFOL.
You are mistaken in your offense. It is not up to me to source everything for you or any one else when items where created by a third party. I pointed you in a direction, if you follow or not is up to you, newbe. Asking is one thing but you phrased you post as a demand - not nice so take what you got, be thankful it wasn’t worse.
I have no idea what those letters mean and neither does Google - I assume it is something unpleasant - perhaps some warm milk and cookies would aid your disposition?
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